Chapter 229: Turning Sides
Let Zheng Weimin wait in the courtyard first.
Wu Kaixian thought for a moment and said: “No falsehoods in front of the real man. Before speaking the truth, there’s a question. I’m asking Director Ding on behalf of CC: past events written off, would Director Ding still be willing to serve the Party and State?”
These words stumped Ding Mocun a bit. He hadn’t expected such a big figure to show up; it was just drinking and talking business, showing face was enough.
Now with Gu Yansheng beside him, no matter how he answered, it seemed problematic. He had to consider Gu Yansheng’s position.
After thinking, he said: “I’m sending things to the Party and State now, isn’t that serving the Party and State?”
Wu Kaixian chuckled, drank a cup of wine, and said: “That’s the reason, but adding money to the ideology changes the flavor a bit.
Brother Ding, you’re now the Director of the Special Agent Headquarters, acting conveniently in Shanghai. If you’re willing to return to the Party and State, you can absolutely establish monumental merits for the Party and State.
When the day of victory in the war comes, one side traitor, one side national meritorious official—this identity is vastly different. I think you should decide early.”
Ding Mocun found it hard to respond and could only smile: “Looks like your mission in coming to Shanghai this time is to be a lobbyist?”
“Haha, just one of the jobs. Come, take a look at the suitcase.”
Wu Kaixian picked up the leather suitcase from the floor and put it on the table, opening it in front of Ding Mocun—undoubtedly, medicine money.
“So much?” Ding Mocun looked at the money inside in surprise. “There shouldn’t be this much, right?”
“Correct.” Wu Kaixian nodded. “Per the agreement, everyone bears the cost of the lost medicine. But CC thinks that with Brother Ding willing to serve the Party and State in occupied territory, no matter what, we can’t let you lose money on this. Whether you’re willing to serve the Party and State again or not, this money is ours to give.”
Ding Mocun smiled. “Since it was agreed beforehand, let’s stick to the agreement.”
“Hey.” Wu Kaixian raised his hand to stop him. “Let me tell you, brother: my trip to Shanghai this time, besides delivering the medicine money and inviting you back to the Party and State, has another mission. The Executive Yuan appointed me Secretary-General of the Unification Committee in SH City, fully responsible for Shanghai’s underground anti-Japanese work in party, government, military, and group affairs, overseeing party affairs in southeastern provinces.
This is begging for food on your turf, brother. Don’t know if you’re willing to give me a way to survive. If not, I’ll die on my first day in office, hahahaha.”
Ding Mocun hadn’t expected Wu Kaixian’s position to be so significant, but this was tantamount to forcing the issue—simply put, Chongqing climbing the pole. Very tricky.
“Executive Yuan. Looks like this isn’t just CC’s matter.”
“Correct, brother. So I say now is the best time for you to return. The President is watching you. It’s he who said: as long as you’re willing to come back, all past events written off, expecting you to establish new merits. One day when anti-Japanese efforts succeed, he’ll personally celebrate your achievements.”
These words gave Ding Mocun a jolt. The President’s name carried weight; his blood almost boiled.
Just agree first then.
Li Shiqun can contact the Military Statistics Bureau; why can’t he contact CC.
Besides, who says agreeing means it’s real? Can always go back on it.
After thinking, he said: “Did the President really say that?”
“Of course it’s true, absolutely!”
“But I made a mistake back then; the President was very angry with me.”
“Brother Ding, that’s where you’re wrong. The President removed you from your post, but consider the crimes you committed—if the President really wanted to deal with you, wouldn’t it be throwing you in prison, even executing you, to kill one and warn a hundred?
Did he? No.
Just let you rest for a while; he didn’t strip your Major General Advisor title, right?”
“That’s true. I feel ashamed toward the President. In that case, brother, I’ll speak from the heart: I’m willing to serve the Party and State. Though I work at the Special Agent Headquarters, I never actively arrest Chongqing people—it’s all Li Shiqun’s doing.
As soon as I get a chance, I think about transporting scarce supplies to Chongqing.
My heart belongs to the Party and State.”
“That’s great!” Wu Kaixian laughed heartily. “Brother Ding, under the Party and State’s flag, you’re a meritorious official! I’ll definitely tell the President this news; he’ll be happy for you.”
“Then thank you, but…”
“But what?”
Ding Mocun smiled. “I need an appointment letter signed by the President, certifying that I’m serving the Party and State. Let me state upfront: it’s not that I don’t trust you, brother, but one day if I die on Party and State business, I hope someone at my funeral remembers this.
You know, the situation in Shanghai is very complex. If I’m to serve the Party and State, I might very well die.”
“This matter…” Wu Kaixian frowned, paused, and said: “I can apply, but you know I can’t make any promises on behalf of the President; I don’t have that authority.”
“Understood. Come, drink.”
“Good, drink.”
After downing a cup, Wu Kaixian asked about the situation in Shanghai.
Ding Mocun didn’t mind giving a little sweetener, promising that no matter what, they could first establish a contact channel, ensuring his office location in Shanghai was safe.
“With Brother Ding’s care, I can really start working as Secretary-General, haha. Come, cheers.”
Wu Kaixian drank a cup and continued: “Lately, Wang Faction personnel have been very active in Shanghai, deceiving the common people under the name of Peaceful Nation Building. The President is especially angry about this. Can Brother Ding provide their security vulnerabilities to facilitate our assassinations?”
Ding Mocun’s face almost changed; he barely held it in. Gu Yansheng was still there—discussing working for CC was one thing, but discussing killing Wang Faction personnel, if they kept going, things would get messy.
So he said: “Security matters are now under Li Shiqun. You know, recently the Military Statistics Bureau assassinated Wang Faction personnel’s family members, causing heavy casualties.
Now Wang Faction personnel are furious. This security issue is a landmine, Li Shiqun’s mess. I won’t touch it now, or if the Japanese blame us, won’t I take the responsibility? For now, I really can’t.”
This made logical sense; Wu Kaixian nodded thoughtfully and didn’t pursue. “Then later. There’s plenty of time. Let’s talk about supplies transportation.”
Half an hour later, full of food and wine, the frank talk was about done. Ding Mocun saw them off.
Gu Yansheng also disassembled the tape and put it in his pocket.
The entire chain of evidence was now complete; Ding Mocun could be pinned down. But Gu Yansheng truly hadn’t expected CC to send such a heavyweight to Shanghai.
Ding Mocun’s value in their eyes was indeed high.
Wu Kaixian.
Fully responsible for Shanghai’s underground anti-Japanese work in party, government, military, and group affairs, also overseeing southeastern provinces—this position was like a high-spec unit akin to the Southern Bureau or Northern Bureau; Wu Kaixian was the head.
The Central Statistics Bureau Shanghai District was just one of its departments.
Looks like Boss Dai’s Military Statistics Bureau has been rampaging in Shanghai, gaining prestige and face in front of President Jiang. Meanwhile, the CC faction’s ace thug Central Statistics Bureau has meager achievements and produced a traitor like Li Shiqun—they’re really anxious now.
Xu Enzeng must have been scolded plenty by Old Jiang.
With the Central Statistics Bureau Shanghai District coming out to act, given their grudge, the one they most want to take out is definitely Li Shiqun, then the Wang Faction personnel Wu Kaixian mentioned.
Not a bad thing.
A few minutes later, Ding Mocun returned after seeing them off, saying anxiously.
“Brother, you have to hear my explanation.”
